For The Sake of Her Family

by Diane Allen

  It was almost two months since Alice’s unexpected arrival at the cottage and for weeks there had been no let-up in the wind and rain. The cold, wet conditions were making life difficult at the marble works, with the men growing fractious and unsettled. O’Hara might have been a crook, but at least they could take it easy while he was sleeping off the previous night’s hangover. The new boss made sure they kept on working even in the pouring rain. And what was he doing in charge of them in the first place? Barely old enough to grow whiskers and knowing nothing about marble and quarrying. There was only one thing him and his floozy of a sister were good at, and that was hobnobbing with the gentry.

  To start with, they waited until Will’s back was turned before giving vent to their resentment. But all that changed one particularly foul morning, with the rain lashing down so hard they could barely see the rock face and their tools slipping from their hands with the wet, and Will standing there yelling at them all the while, telling them to put their backs into it and earn their keep. They’d all been muttering under their breath, cursing him, but then one of them spoke loud enough so Will could hear it.

  ‘What did you say?’ snapped Will, glaring at the dark, thickset form. ‘I’m talking to you, Middleton! Answer me!’ The man was one of his best workers, but he was also a ringleader, and if Will let a remark like that go unchallenged, the others might follow suit.

  ‘I said, it’s a pity we can’t all make our living by shagging the boss’s sister.’ Middleton rose to his full height. He was a big, burly man who would have no problem holding his own if it came to a fight. ‘And I think I can speak for all of us when I say it’s not fit weather to make a dog work, let alone us men.’ With that, he spat in his hands and bent to pick up his spade.

  ‘How dare you talk to me like that!’ Will stepped up and grabbed at the bending man’s lapel, hauling on it to bring them face to face.

  ‘Nay, I’ve said enough – I mean to keep my job. But if the cap fits . . . Think what you will, but I’m right about the bloody weather. We can do nothing on a day like this – and there’ll be a lot of days like this ’un in winter.’

  Shrugging off Will’s hand on his lapel, Middleton made to carry on shovelling. Two of his fellow workers moved in, crowding Will and making him feel vulnerable and alone on the fellside.

  ‘All right, men, finish for today – but I’m only paying you half a day’s wages. And it’ll be the same for every day wasted: no work, no pay.’

  With that, Will turned and set off walking along the stony track that led to the cottage. He heard mutinous voices behind him muttering curses, and Middleton calling him a ‘fucking bastard’, but he kept on walking. These were not his sort of men. Most were decent enough, but there were a few who were still loyal to O’Hara. If he was to make a success of himself, he would need to win them over, and the best way to do that would be to prove he’d been given the job because he was worthy of it, not just because of his acquaintance with the boss’s sister.

  By the time he got home, he was drenched to the skin. Middleton was right: this weather wasn’t fit for working in, but he was desperate to get the works running at a profit again. Only then would his position be secure, regardless of his relationship with Nancy.

  ‘By the gods, its bloody wet out there, our lass!’ He stopped just inside the back door and threw off his cap and overcoat, leaving them in a wet heap on the floor. ‘Fetch me a towel, wherever you are. I swear I’m going to lamp that Middleton one of these days. He’s a right bloody troublemaker. I’m going to have to secure a few good orders to win him over. Alice, where the hell are you, woman? I’m drowning in here.’

  Alice came rushing into the kitchen. ‘Be quiet, our Will – we’ve company.’ She handed him a warm towel from the airing rack above the fire. ‘Miss Nancy and Jack are in the front room. Nancy got him to bring her up because she says she’s missing you.’

  Will towelled his dark hair dry, then ran his fingers through it to flatten and layer it thin to his skull, exaggerating his high cheekbones and sharp features.

  ‘That’s what I like to hear, lass,’ he whispered conspiratorially. ‘Treat ’em mean and keep ’em keen.’ Taking the damp towel and aiming a swipe at Alice’s bottom, he set off for the front room with a jaunty swagger.

  ‘Nancy, my dear, what brings you here on this terrible wet day? It’s a wonder you weren’t washed away.’ He leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on her cheek, then stood and turned to his friend. ‘Jack, what were you thinking, bringing Miss Nancy out in this weather?’

  ‘Don’t blame Jack, my love. I needed to see you – it’s been a whole week since you’ve been to the manor. Besides, I was sure that Alice would like to see Jack, now that she is hidden away up here at this terrible place. Did I hear right, my love? Are you looking for more orders? I’ll ask Gerald to have a word with his contacts for you. I’m sure he can help.’

  ‘Nay, I can manage. I’ve got to earn my own points with them men up there, else they’ll never respect me.’ Will turned to Jack, giving him a playful punch on the shoulder. ‘I suppose it’s my sister you’ve come to see, not me. That’ll be why she’s still lurking out there!’ Raising his eyebrows and tilting his head in the direction of the kitchen, Will hoped his friend would take the hint and let him have some time alone with Nancy.

  ‘Well, as it happens, there is something I want to ask her.’ For a moment, Jack stood there looking sheepish and twisting his cap in his hands, awkward at being in the way of his friend’s courtship. ‘If it’s all right with you, Miss Nancy, I’ll go and see her. Let me know when you want to return to the manor.’

  Alice was standing by the kitchen fire, hanging Will’s wet clothes in front of the range to dry. She smiled at Jack when he entered. ‘So you’ve had enough of playing gooseberry with the loving couple? Come and sit next to the fire and keep me company. It’s not only Nancy who gets lonely, you know.’ She plumped up the newly made cushions and offered Jack the chair nearest the fire.

  ‘Aye, well, there’s something I want to ask you, and it’s a bit awkward, but I’ve got to know because I’m not being tret right at the Moon. Uriah and his missus have all on to talk to me, let alone serve me. I’ve a feeling it’s something to do with thee, but I can’t weigh up what.’

  ‘Don’t be silly, Jack, you’ve done nothing wrong and I’ve never said anything about you to them. Besides, what is there to say? It’s nothing but sour grapes over me leaving. They’re taking it out on you because they know we’re friends. That’ll be all it is.’ She reached across and took his hand and held it gently. ‘You know I’d never do anything to hurt you. I think dearly of you.’

  ‘Aye, and I think a lot of you, but they are acting strange and folk are talking. Everyone goes quiet when I walk into the pub for the odd pint that I can barely afford nowadays.’

  ‘You’re imagining it, Jack. Anyway, what’s to do with you not affording to go for a pint? Things can’t be that bad.’ Alice tried to change the subject from the Woodheads.

  ‘I’m not for saying, but you’ll find out soon enough.’ Jack’s mood lightened and there was a definite twinkle in his eye as he added, ‘Let’s just say I’m counting the pennies at the moment.’

  ‘Go on, Jack, tell me – what are you up to?’ Alice’s thoughts were racing. She’d come to realize that there was more to Jack than she’d given him credit for. He might be quiet, and his job at the manor didn’t have the same prospects as Will’s, but she’d found him to be a caring, sensible lad. What’s more, he was good with money – something not to be overlooked.

  ‘Nay, you’ll have to wait; I’m not saying anything. But I’ve got to look after my money, so there will be no more fancy tea and scones in Mrs Handley’s tea rooms on a Sunday. Sorry, Alice, but this is more important.’ He gave Alice a stern look, frowning slightly as he calculated the saving that he would make by not giving her a Sunday treat.

  ‘Oh, Jack, you mean thing! All you think about is money. You don’t care a
bout me one bit. I bet you’re only saving up for a bloody horse or a new saddle – anything but looking after me.’ Sunday was the only day of the week Alice got treated like a lady and she spent the rest of the week looking forward to it. ‘I can’t be bothered to talk to you, Jack Alderson. I’m off to join my brother in the other room – at least him and Nancy can think of better things to talk about.’

  ‘Alice, it’s only until spring and then you can have scones and tea every Sunday,’ Jack pleaded, grabbing her by the arm. ‘You’ll soon see that it’s worth going without for.’

  Alice shook her arm free. ‘Spring! That’s nearly five months off. Things can all have changed by then. I’m not always going to be here – I aim to do something with my life, not spend it waiting for a servant lad.’

  Her sharp words stung at Jack’s heart and her blazing eyes burned his soul. So that was what she thought of him, a servant lad, nothing more, nothing less. Well, he was going to show her, and by God, she’d want him then, because he loved the fiery Miss Bentham and he was going to get her, no matter what it took.

  ‘Suit yourself, Alice,’ he said to her retreating back. ‘But you’ll still be here. I know you will.’ Then he turned and sat by the kitchen fire, hoping that Nancy would not stay long. He wanted to get home and nurse his wounded pride.

  The shadows had lengthened by the time Nancy came through into the kitchen. Jack, who’d been dozing in the comfortable padded chair, quickly roused himself after hearing the farewells exchanged.

  ‘So that’s sorted, then, Alice: you’ll come to the manor three days a week. You can sleep in the maid’s quarters. I’m sure my brother won’t complain as the room’s not being used. You’ll be a great help for Mrs Dowbiggin: she’s not getting any younger – but don’t tell her I said so! And of course it means that Jack will get to see more of you.’ Nancy turned and smiled at him. ‘So, it works out well for all. Come, Jack, take me home – it will be night-time before we get there.’

  There was an uncomfortable silence from Jack as he put his coat on and opened the kitchen door for Nancy. He remained silent throughout the journey home, and Nancy said nothing, leaving him to his thoughts until they were back at the manor.

  ‘Jack, are you all right?’ she asked as he reached up to help her alight from the carriage. ‘You seem a little upset.’

  ‘I’m fine, Miss Nancy, thank you. Just in love with the wrong woman – and there’s nothing I can do about it.’

  10

  It was a year since Bess Bentham died and the November day was not dissimilar to the one on which she passed away. A sharp wind blew from the north, whipping around the huge pillars of the Stone House viaduct, nearly blowing the railway workers who were busy repairing the track off the top of it. Alice watched them as she sat sheltered behind one of the limestone walls, alone with her thoughts, apart from the song of a solitary late skylark. She had walked along the rutted track, past the marble works and underneath the railway’s towering arches to a secluded spot that had become her thinking place. Where she could sit surrounded by tufts of moorland grass and ling heather, the smell of which she was sure would make a fortune in the fine shops of London if you could only capture it in a bottle.

  With a sigh, she gazed out at the view. In the distance she could see Combe Scar, tipped with snow, behind the little village of Dent and the vast slopes of Whernside rising up from the valley. She closed her eyes and covered them with her hands, quietly despairing at the situation she was in. Things had gone from bad to worse since her mother died, and now, to top it all, she had fallen out with Jack, all for the sake of a stupid cup of tea. Her and her sharp temper!

  Still, maybe she could make it up with him once she started working more hours at the manor. Her mood lightened at the thought. She was looking forward to living in her own room at the manor two nights a week, knowing that she’d be warm and well fed if Mrs Dowbiggin had anything to do with it. Besides, she couldn’t really call it work. Helping Nancy dress, keeping her company and lending a hand in the kitchen – that wasn’t work, especially not compared to the Moon. She shuddered at the very thought of the place and horrid memories came flooding back to her. Alice hadn’t dared show her face in the village since she left and hoped she wouldn’t have to for a while longer yet.

  The cold, biting wind finally got too much for her and, wrapping her shawl tightly around her, she set off down the track to the cottage that she had started to call home. To think that just over a year ago both her parents had been alive and she had been an innocent teenager. Life had certainly forced her to grow up since then, and she’d learned her lessons the hard way. But she hadn’t let it beat her. Despite everything, she was still aiming her sights high: today the cottage, tomorrow the manor – and who knew where that would lead? She only hoped Mr Right would come along soon.

  She stopped by the water trough at the back door of the cottage to take a sip of the icy-cold water. As she leaned over the pump, she was suddenly overcome by a wave of nausea. Her head felt so light and giddy that she had to support herself by hanging on to the pump until the feeling passed and she felt well enough to continue into the cottage.

  ‘You’re white as a sheet, our lass. Are you all right?’ said Will, looking up from his seat at the kitchen table. ‘I bet you’ve been up in your new hiding place on the fellside, haven’t you? I’ve never understood why you have to go out in all weathers just to have a think. You must be frozen, you silly devil.’

  With shaking hands, Alice took her shawl off and hung it behind the kitchen door. Beads of sweat formed on her brow. ‘I feel sick, if you must know. Probably those duck eggs I had for breakfast this morning. I didn’t know how old they were when I got them out of the pantry.’

  ‘They weren’t old – I only had them given to me the other day. Happen you’re sickening for something. You’d better have a lie-down for an hour or two, because whatever you’ve got, I don’t want it.’ Will put his coat on and made for the door. ‘I’m off out. Will you be all right?’

  ‘I’ll be fine. I told you, it’s just something I’ve eaten.’ Alice managed a wan smile for her brother, but as soon as he was gone she collapsed next to the fire and burst into tears. She knew all too well what was wrong with her, and it had nothing to do with anything she’d eaten. She’d begun to suspect when she missed two ‘monthlies’. Now she knew she was pregnant; the nausea confirmed it. Why did she have to end up pregnant? Uriah and his wife had no children. How was it that he had managed with her something he’d been trying for years with his wife? The last thing she wanted was Uriah’s bastard baby. What to do, though? She thumped her stomach hard, making her retch even more, trying to kill the unformed baby. If only she had someone to turn to, someone who would know what to do.

  ‘Are you all right, dear?’ Mrs Dowbiggin peered at her new help across the kitchen table of the manor. The last couple of mornings she’d come down from her room looking pale and had not even touched her breakfast.

  ‘I’m fine, Mrs Dowbiggin. Thank you for asking.’ Alice smiled, trying not to show how she felt. Since moving into her room at the manor, she had enjoyed being part of the little community and the last thing she wanted was to lose her new position. She especially liked the way Gerald Frankland bade her good morning personally every morning as she served him and Nancy breakfast. His dark eyes smiling and watching her as she waited on his every word and instructions for the day.

  ‘Now, dear, I hope that you don’t think me presumptuous, but I don’t believe you. I’ve been around long enough to recognize a girl in trouble. You’re being sick every morning, my girl – I’ve heard you. So what are we going to do about this little secret?’

  ‘I don’t know what you mean. There’s nothing wrong with me.’ Alice put on her haughty look; there was no way she was going to tell Mrs Dowbiggin her troubles. She would be the gossip of the dale.

  ‘Don’t be stupid, girl – you’re pregnant. Another few weeks and you’ll not be able to hide it on that skinny fra
me of yours. And then what are you going to do?’ Hilda Dowbiggin took a long sip from her teacup and studied the blushing Alice as she did so. She placed her teacup and saucer firmly down on the white linen tablecloth. ‘If you don’t want it, you need to get on and do something about it. How long gone are you? And who’s the father?’ Seeing Alice’s reaction, she followed this with ‘Will he stand by you?’

  Alice hung her head and fiddled with her handkerchief, not wanting to look into Mrs Dowbiggin’s prying eyes. ‘I’m three months, but I don’t want anyone to know. It’s my secret and I’m not telling you who the father is.’

  ‘Well, it’s hardly going to stay a secret, now is it? If it’s that Jack Alderson’s, I’ll give him a piece of my mind. He should have kept it in his pocket!’ Hilda Dowbiggin stared long and hard at her. Then she smacked her lips and shook her head. ‘You’re not the first and you won’t be the last, but I thought better of you, Alice. I thought you had more about you than some. There was me, trying to warn you about men, and all along you probably knew more than me.’

  ‘It wasn’t like that, Mrs Dowbiggin. I couldn’t help it, and it’s not Jack’s, so please don’t say anything to him, please, I beg of you. He would only be hurt.’

  ‘Oh, hold your tears. It’s no good crying over spilt milk. What are we going to do now? That’s the question. I take it I’m the only one who knows? Else Miss Nancy wouldn’t have got you working here three days a week. Let’s hope his lordship doesn’t find out, or we will be in for bother. Now, do you want to keep it?’

  Alice sniffed and looked at Mrs Dowbiggin, bemused. ‘What do you mean? I’ve no option but to keep it, have I?’ A glimmer of hope was beginning to shine. Perhaps Hilda Dowbiggin was more worldly than Alice had thought, and perhaps she was going to be her saviour. Even if she didn’t have a solution, it still felt better now that someone else was in on the secret and she could talk about her situation with another woman.